Man arrested at Trump rally in Pennsylvania wanted to hang a protest banner, police say

FILE – Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump attends a campaign rally in Waterford Township, Mich., Feb. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A man arrested last week at a Pennsylvania rally for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump had hoped to hang a banner to protest Trump’s policies, Johnstown’s police chief said Tuesday.

Authorities announced that misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest were filed against Stephen A. Weiss, 36, of Pittsburgh, who was taken into custody at Friday’s Trump rally.

Johnstown Police Chief Richard Pritchard said investigators do not know what the banner said because arena staff apparently discarded it. He said it was made from a bed sheet and that Weiss told a detective that he does not believe in Trump’s policies.

Pritchard said Weiss faked a foot injury and concealed a tube of glue in a metal crutch.

Weiss declined comment when reached by phone Tuesday, saying he was seeking legal advice.

The arrest affidavit by a Johnstown police detective said Weiss “ran onto the arena floor, jumped onto the media stage (and) began to yell towards the main stage where President Trump was speaking.” Weiss allegedly would not release himself from steel barricade fencing “and force had to be used,” police said in the charging document.

A man who accompanied Weiss to the rally told police he was unaware of Weiss’ plan, Pritchard said. The second man was not charged, the chief said.

Weiss also was charged with disrupting a public meeting, a misdemeanor. The Secret Service questioned Weiss on Friday and he was released later that night. He has a court hearing scheduled for Oct. 9.

A Trump campaign spokesman offered no immediate comment Tuesday.

The disruption occurred shortly after Trump criticized major media outlets for what he said was unfavorable coverage.

As Weiss was led away, the former president told the crowd: “Is there anywhere that’s more fun to be than a Trump rally?”

There has been heightened scrutiny of security at Trump rallies since a gunman fired at him, grazing his ear, during an outdoor rally in July in Butler, Pennsylvania. Security at political events has been noticeably tighter since then.

Pennsylvania Turnpike’s *11 emergency number down in state temporarily

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published on September 4, 2024 at 10:13 A.M.)

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pennsylvania Turnpike announced Wednesday morning that their *11 emergency phone number was down throughout the entire state. Drivers who are traveling on the turnpike should call 911 for emergency purposes until further notice, and officials for the turnpike will provide more information in the future. 

 

AAA: Gas Prices Still on the Decline in PA

Gas prices are eight cents lower in Western Pennsylvania this week at $3.621 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average                         $3.621
Average price during the week of August 26, 2024                                          $3.700
Average price during the week of September 5, 2023                                      $3.852

The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:      

$3.434      Altoona
$3.743      Beaver
$3.802      Bradford
$3.443      Brookville
$3.593      Butler
$3.551      Clarion
$3.628      DuBois
$3.599      Erie
$3.659      Greensburg
$3.637      Indiana
$3.643      Jeannette
$3.744      Kittanning
$3.587      Latrobe
$3.608      Meadville
$3.712      Mercer
$3.570      New Castle
$3.546      New Kensington
$3.621      Oil City
$3.653      Pittsburgh

$3.491      Sharon
$3.656      Uniontown
$3.795      Warren
$3.558      Washington

Trend Analysis:
Pump prices continued to fall over the past week and are three cents lower this week at $3.32.  With Labor Day signaling the unofficial end of the summer travel season, there was a slight uptick in gas demand but lower crude prices are helping to offset gas price increases. Today’s national average is 15 cents lower than a month ago and 49 cents less than a year ago.

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand rose last week from 9.19 million barrels per day to 9.30. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks fell from 220.2 to 218.4 million barrels, and gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.6 million daily.

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, West Texas Intermediate fell by $1.01 to settle at $74.52 a barrel. The EIA reports that crude oil inventories decreased by 0.8 million barrels from the previous week. At 425.2 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 4% below the five-year average for this time of year.

Governor Tim Walz stopping by in Pittsburgh, Lancaster, and Erie for political involvement

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published on September 4, 2024 at 10:10 A.M., Updated at 10:26 A.M.)

(Pittsburgh, PA) Democratic Vice Presidential Nominee and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz will be in Pittsburgh on Wednesday afternoon. He plans to join an involvement with politics in the city after stopping in Lancaster on Wednesday as well. He will also travel to Erie for the next part of his campaign. This shortly comes after a campaign from Democratic Presidential Nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden in the South Side of Pittsburgh. 

 

Beaver County Conservation District spreading pesticide to reduce West Nile virus in Monaca

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published on September 4, 2024 at 10:08 A.M.)

(Monaca, PA) Beaver County is taking the fight to reduce the spreading of the West Nile Virus in Monaca. The Beaver County Conservation District will be spraying a pesticide called AquaDuet boarded on trucks on Thursday, September 5 between 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. to decrease both the population of mosquitoes and the transmission of the West Nile virus. Even though there is no cure for the West Nile virus, according to the CDC, symptoms can be reduced by rest, fluids, and pain medications. Staying inside is encouraged, but experts say that it is not necessary because it only affects both the environment and animals minimally. 

Charles Lenny Hyre (1964-2024)

Charles Lenny Hyre, 59, of Raccoon Township, passed away on September 2, 2024 in UPMC Presbyterian Hospital. He was born in Crescent Township on November 26, 1964, a son of the late John and Frances Hyre. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother Jeff Hyre.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Marie Hyre, three sons, Caleb, Cody, and Cayden Hyre, three brothers, Terry Hyre, Randy (Edith) Hyre, and Tim Hyre and numerous nieces and nephews.

Charles was a Logistics Ops Specialist for P.S.C. working out of the Shell Polymer Plant. He was a member and Elder at Mt. Pleasant Evangelical Presbyterian Church.  He was an avid outdoorsman, thoroughly enjoying spending time at his camp in Tionesta. He loved gardening and the Steelers.  He also was a gracious host; he loved to feed his family and friends and have great conversations. Most of all, he loved his family and spending time with his boys.

Friends will be received on Thursday, Septmber 5 from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. in the Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2345 Mill Street, Aliquippa. A funeral service will be held on Friday, September 6 at 11 a.m. in Mt. Pleasant Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Aliquippa.

Private interment will be held in Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Pleasant E.P. Church.

Judith Ann Cheuvront (1943-2024)

Judith Ann Cheuvront, 80, passed away on September 3, 2024, in Center Township. She was born on November 14, 1943, in Oakdale, Pennsylvania. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Johnna (Marvin) Dangle and her brother, Kenneth Hanks. She is survived by her husband, Earl; her son, Michael (Kathleen) Marvin; her daughters, Shelly (Steve) Carpenter and Nicole Cheuvront; her step-daughter, Tam (Ray) McMasters; a son-law: Eric Dangle, her grandsons, Corey Krepps, Nicholas Marvin, and Sean McMasters; and her granddaughter, Elena Marvin. Nothing brought her more joy than spending time with her grandchildren, whom she adored deeply.

Judy dedicated her life to her family and community. She was a retired phlebotomist at the Medical Center of Beaver County, a role she cherished throughout her career. Judy was married to Earl Cheuvront for 50 wonderful years, and together they created a loving family.

Judy was a passionate sports fan and a loyal supporter of the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pittsburgh Steelers. She found delight in the simple pleasures of life, such as enjoying Breezy’s Pizza and Harold’s Chicken and spending quality time with her dogs and granddogs.

Family and friends will be received on Thursday from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the Anthony Mastrofrancesco Funeral Home Inc. 2026 McMinn Street. Private Interment will take place at Beaver Cemetery.
The family extends special thanks to her neurologist, Dr. Lacomis, and his assistant, Becky, for their compassionate care over the past three years following her diagnosis of Myasthenia Gravis.

Judith’s warm spirit, kindness, and love for her family will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Mary Lou Tesla (1931-2024)

Mary Lou Tesla, 92, passed away on September 1, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on December 4, 1931.

She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Thomas and Anna Marie Purnell, and her dear husband, Stanley Tesla. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Judge Kim Tesla and Pamela Tesla, her granddaughter and her husband, Nicole M. Tesla and Yashwanth Chimmani, and one great-grandson, Raj Chimmani, that brought her endless joy.

Mary Lou was a beacon of love, compassion and strength.
She was the heart of her family and was always her son’s greatest cheerleader. Her
kindness knew no bounds and her love and passion for animals, especially dogs, and
her gardens will forever be remembered. Throughout her life she cared tirelessly for her pets, including several collies, a golden retriever, several mixed breeds including a
raccoon and a crow.

She was a graduate of Aliquippa High School and loved getting together with her
remaining classmates. Many years after graduating she fulfilled her dream and
graduated from grooming school. She opened Lassie & Laddie Dog Grooming.
Interacting with her canine customers gave her immeasurable joy.
Mary Lou was a devoted mother. She instilled in her son the golden rule of treating all
people the way you wanted to be treated. She loved and encouraged his efforts of
trying to make a difference.

Her loss leaves a void that can never be filled, but we find solace in the countless
beautiful memories she left behind. Her legacy of love will continue to live on through
her son, daughter-in-law, granddaughter, great-grandson and all those whose lives she touched.

Friends and family will be received to celebrate her life on Friday, September 6 from 3-7 p.m. at Anthony Mastrofrancesco Funeral Home Inc. of Aliquippa. Departing prayers will begin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, September 7 in the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10:00 a.m. in Our Lady of Fatima Church of Hopewell. Private Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.
The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the nurses and doctors of
Heritage Valley Beaver and the nurses and staff of Rochester Manor and Villa that
provided her with compassionate care.

Harold Charles Beck (1933-2024)

Harold “Hall” Charles Beck, 91, of Economy Borough, passed away at home on September 3, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on February 3, 1933, a son of the late William and Margaretha (Graham) Beck.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his 3 sisters, Marion Sergeant, Johanna Clawson, Celia Jewell; and 2 brothers, James Beck and William Beck.

He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Carol (Dzubak) Beck; 3 children, Douglas (Joyce) Beck, Jeffrey (Susan) Beck and Amy (Robert) Fodor; 8 grandchildren, Stephanie (Adam) Miller, Michelle Beck and Andrew Beck, Jacob, Noah and Jordan Beck, and Alyssa and Britney Fodor; and 1 great-grandchild, Kayleigh Miller.

Until his retirement, Harold worked for ARMCO Steel for 35 years.  He was an Army Veteran of the Korean War and a member of the Baden American Legion, the Conway Lounge Golf League, and the Beaver Valley Bowling Hall of Fame.

Family and friends will be received on Friday, September 6, from 4:00 P.M. until time of funeral service at 7:30 P.M., in the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge, with Pastor Jill McGregor officiating.  An Inurnment will take place at a later date, in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, 1158 Morgan Road, Bridgeville.

Margaret Patricia Zell (1929-2024)

Margaret Patricia Zell, 94, of Beaver Falls, passed away on September 1, 2024, at Providence Health and Rehab Center.

She was born on November 23, 1929, in Beaver Falls, the daughter of the late Albert and Margaret Holtom.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two husbands, Ralph D. Zell and Hubert T. McCreary; son, David Scott Zell; two brothers, John Holtom and Robert Holtom; and three sisters, Doris Hurbanek, Grace Billie Hurbanek, and Marion Jones.

She is survived by her daughters, Cathy (Dan) Eichinger and Joni (Tim Young) Bodell; four grandchildren, Noah Eichinger, Kaitlin (Jim) McClain, Ethan Bodell, and Matthew Zell; four great-grandchildren, Victoria, Zoe, Ryland, and Covey; and one great-great-granddaughter, Emilia.

Margaret was a long-term member of Oak Grove Church of Christ and the Thursday Morning Ladies Bowling League where her joy and camaraderie never failed to brighten the room. Patty had an unmatched love for playing cards and her love for flower gardening was a testament to her nurturing nature, as she brought beauty and life to her surroundings.

As per Patty’s wishes, all services were private.

Professional Services were handled by the CORLESS-KUNSELMAN FUNERAL SERVICES, LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Providence Health and Rehab Center as well as Grane Hospice for their kindness while she was in their care.